Can someone help me with my camera?

Question

I have a Sony Digital Camera (filming kind, not pictures) and its a DCR-HC38 and when I use the USB, it doesn't read on the computer that it is hooked up.

Also, when I use windows movie maker, it can't capture the video because it isn't reading on the computer.

I would very much want some help.

please and thank you.

Answer 1

I have an SR-40. Make sure a) the USB port you're using is functioning (plug some other USB device into it, like a flash drive/stick,) b) battery is in the camcorder, c) the camcorder is on (and mounted in the docking device, if your model uses one,) and d) when it's on, you should see and option for "HDD" on the camcorder screen. Select that, and the computer should automatically recognize it and mount a new hard drive in My Computer. You can open the hard drive and copy files off, but it should cause the software (that came with the camcorder) to launch to copy files from the camcorder.

Other than that, you need to call support or dig around the sony site for troubleshooting.

EDIT:

Product page:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stor...

Under Specifications->Input output:

"USB Port(s) : Yes (1.1 compliant)"

It is a USB device. No firewire.

Support for this cam:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-h...

Answer 2

I dont believe you can transfer video via USB from your cam, you most likely need a firewire cable (and also, I'm afraid, a firewire port on your computer).  Usually the USB cable they include with these cams are just to transfer the digital stills from the camcorder onto the computer, not the video.  If you are unable to transfer the digital stills because the computer is not detecting your cam then it sounds like you didnt install the USB driver that most likely came on a CD with your cam.  Hope this helps.